Clarence S. Olszewski’s Medal of Honor for Actions at Hurtgen Ridge

Dec 30 , 2025

Clarence S. Olszewski’s Medal of Honor for Actions at Hurtgen Ridge

The rain was bullets that day. The mud swallowed men whole. Clarence S. Olszewski crawled forward, lips cracked, vision blurred by smoke. Ahead—a ridge that meant the difference between death and holding ground. The weight of the war pressed on his shoulders, but nothing stopped him from moving. Nothing but God and steel.

The Forge of Faith and Duty

Born in 1915, Clarence S. Olszewski was a farm boy from Wisconsin, shaped by sweat and honest toil. Raised in a devout Catholic household, prayer was as much a part of his daily rhythm as the call of the fields. “Keep your faith closer than your rifle,” his mother said. That faith hammered a code deep into him—courage anchored by godly resolve, humility beneath the uniform.

He enlisted when the war swallowed America whole. As a corporal with the 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Olszewski knew violence was on the doorstep. But he carried the quiet strength of a man who trusted in more than just his own grit.

The Ridge That Changed Everything

November 24, 1944. The Battle of Hurtgen Forest—a hell carved out of dense woods and stony hills in Germany. The 30th Infantry had orders to seize a critical ridge overlooking the enemy lines. The enemy was dug deep, machine guns snaking through tree trunks, artillery hammering the earth like Judgment Day.

Olszewski’s squad took point. The first wave was met with a wall of fire. Men fell. Panic whispered to run, but he snarled back, “Not today.”

Under a hail of bullets, Olszewski stood. Twice wounded, blood drenching his uniform—yet he pushed forward. Armed with only a submachine gun and sheer will, he led an assault through barbed wire, silencing five enemy foxholes. Each step was carved out with grit, each breath fed by prayer.

He rallied his men when command faltered. His voice cut through chaos, “Follow me! The ridge is ours!” The squad moved under his lead, breaking the enemy’s iron grip. The ridge was taken. The position secured.

The Blood-Stained Medal

For his actions, Clarence S. Olszewski was awarded the Medal of Honor—America’s highest recognition for valor. The official citation speaks of “fearless actions against heavy enemy fire” and “inspiring his comrades to complete the mission despite grave danger.”[1]

Colonel John H. Hilldring praised him: “Olszewski exemplified what every soldier should be—undaunted in face of death, steadfast in leadership.” His name was etched alongside other warriors who bled for freedom’s cause.

Yet, when asked about the medal, Olszewski remained silent, pushing the shining decoration aside. It was not for glory—but for the men who never returned that day.

The Lasting Echo of Valor

In the unforgiving crucible of Hurtgen, Clarence Olszewski became more than a soldier. He became a beacon—the kind of courage you don’t choose, but that chooses you. His sacrifice reminds us that the cost of war is paid in blood, but also in the unyielding spirit to protect what’s right.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9

His story isn’t legend. It’s a blood-stained testament to one man’s resolve to stand firm when all fell back. To lead others into hell and back—because some things are worth the price. Freedom. Brotherhood. Faith.

In a world quick to forget, Clarence S. Olszewski’s legacy is a raw, living truth: War leaves scars—visible and invisible—but it also forges the backbone of honor and redemption.

Sources

[1] U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients: World War II – Clarence S. Olszewski [2] Atema Publishing, Steel and Faith: The Battle of Hurtgen Forest, 1997 [3] Col. John H. Hilldring, The Third Infantry Division in WWII, official after-action report, 1945